Safety switch mechanism.



M. A. DOW;

SAFETY SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 18, 1912.

Patented May 19, 1914.

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SAFETY SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18, 1912.

Patented May 19, 1914.

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SAFETY SWITCH MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 19, 19141.

Application filed November 18, 1912. Serial No. 732,039.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MERLE A. Dow, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Toledo, in. the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Safety Switch Mechanism; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to safety appliances for railroads, and particularly to railroad switches and operating means therefor.

The objectof my invention is the provision, in combination with a switch of this character, of means which is operable from the cab of an engine, or from a car of a train, to close a switch toward which the engine or train may be moving, should the switch be open, whereby the engine may continue its course on a desired track.

The invention is fully described in the following specification, and while, in its broader aspect, it is capable of embodiment in numerous forms, a preferred embodiment thereof is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a plan of a track with a switch embodying my invention associated therewith and with the forward portion of an engine, equipped with operating means for the switch, shown approachii'ig the same. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the pilot-frame of an engine with the pilot removed therefrom and with the associated control parts of the invention carried thereby. Figs, 3 and 4 are enlarged details of portions of the mechanism embodying the invention with the link connecting the switch lever and switch-point connecting bar in different positions relative to the coacting control part. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the cab portion of an engine with the control parts of the invention associated therewith. Figs. 6 and 7 are different enlarged details of one of the members of the mechanism with the latter attached to the switch lever arm, and Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, 1, 1 designate the rails of a straightway track, 2 a siding or switch track leading therefrom, and 3, 3

the customary switch-points, which are laterally shiftable relative to the rails 1, 1 and rigldly connected adjacent their points by a bar 1 in the usual or any suitable manner. A bolt 5 projects loosely through the web portion of one of the rails 1 and the associated switch point 3 and has its outer end projected beyond the outer side of the rail 1 and carrying a coiled compression spring intermediate its head and the outer side of the rail which cooperates with the bolt 5 to normally maintain the switch points in position to open the straightway track, as shown in Fig. 1.

A switch-stand 7, of the customary or any suitable form, is mounted at one side of the track and has a vertical shaft provided at its upper end with an operating-lever or control-arm 8 and at its lower end with an arm 9, which is connected to the adjacent end of the switch-point bar t by a linklO, which link is pivoted at one end to said arm and at its other end to the switch-bar. For the purpose hereinafter described the switclcarm 9 and link 10 are pivotally connected in such manner as to permit an easy disengagement thereof upon a lifting of the link 10 relative to such arm. To permit such disengagement the link 10 is shown, in the present instance, as having its outer end, or that which attaches to the switch-arm 9 apertured and adapted to fit loosely over a pivotstud ll projecting upwardly from the free end of said arm, as best shown in Fig. 7.

In carrying out the feature of my invention, I mount a slide bar 12 immediately under the link 10 for reciprocatory move ments transversely thereof, such movements being guided by guide-members 13, 13, which are shown, in the present instance, as being mounted upon the projected ends of a pair of ties l t. The bar 12 has a cam or inclined surface 15 rising from a reduced portion 16 of its top surface with its lower end, or that which is adjacent to the surface 16, incut to form the shoulder 17, as shown. The link 10 of the switch mechanism is provided on its under side intermediate its ends with an enlargement 18 which forms right angled corners at the under side of the link and is intended to stand over the surface 16 of the slide bar 12 with one of its corners in abutment with the shoulder 17 thereof when the switch is, for instance, in the closed position shown in Fig. 1. It is thus apparent that the coaction of the shoulder 17 of the slide-bar and the adjacent corner of the enlargement 18 of the link 10 prevents movement in one direction of the bar 12. The enlarged portion 18 of the link 10 is held in contact with the reduced surface 16 of the slide bar, and the link is also prevented from lateral movement relative to the shoulder 17, by an angled finger 19, which projects upwardly from the surface 16 of the bar without the shoulder 17 and thence over the top of the link, as best shown in Figs. 3 and at.

When the switch lever 8 is thrown to shift the switch-points 5 from their normal posi tions, the enlargement 18 of the link 10 is longitudinally moved out of register with the shoulder 17 of the slide-bar 12 and the lower rounded portion 20 of the link is moved into register with such shoulder, as indicated in Fig. 1. When the link is in this position relative to the slide bar 12, such bar can be longitudinally moved in a direc tion to force its inclined surface 15 under the coacting portion of the link 10, whereby to cause the end of such link, which is engaged to the switch-arm stud 11, to be lifted free from engagement therewith, it,

of course, being understood that the linger 19 moves over the link during such movement of the bar. hen the link 10 has been disengaged from the I switch-arm 9, the switch-points are moved to their normal straightway track closing position by the action of the bolt 5 and spring 6, as will be apparent.

In order that the link releasing movements of the bar 12 may be imparted thereto from a distant point on the track by mechanism carried by an engine or a car of a train, the bar 12 is shown, in the present instance, as being connected by a rod 21 to a lever arm 22, which rises from a bracket 23 at a side of the track. Upon a striking of the lever 22 by suitable mechanism provided for such purpose on an engine or car which may be approaching the switch points 3, the lever is moved to throw the slide-bar 12 in a direction to cause its inclined surface 15 to work under the switch-link 10 to separate such link from the switch-arm 9 and permit the switch-points 3 to automatically move to straightway track closing position, should such track be open to the siding at the time.

The mechan'sm shown in the present instance for controlling from the cab of an engine the operation of the mechanism comprising my invention, consists in mounting a retractable lever engaging bar 24 at at least one side of the forward end portion of the engine, and preferably at both sides thereof, to facilitate the operating of the switch throwing mechanism at either side of the track, as such mechanism may be located on one or the other side of the track.

P The bars 24 are shown, in the present instance, as being mounted for horizontal sliding movements transversely of the engine in guides 25 carried at the lower portion'of the pilot frame uprights 26 of the engine, and as having their inner ends connected by aset of toggle links 27, which pivot at their inner.

ends to a pit-man member 23, The member 28 rises through the head pilot beam 29, and connects to the crank-arm of a shaft 30 that is mounted above said beam longitudinally;

thereof in suitable bearings 31 attached thereto. The shaft 30 carries a crank-arm 32 at one end which is connected through the medium of a rod 33 and lever 3etoan operating handle 35 within the engine cab.

It is apparent that a movement of the oper-- ating handle in one direction will move the bars 24L outwardly into position to strike 7 and move the levers 22 of the switch mechanism when such levers are in upright positlon, and that a movement of the operating handle 35 in the opposite direction will effeet a retraction of the lever striking bars 24. to inoperative positions. It will be understood that this control mechanism is merely,

illustrative of the idea, and that it may be changed as deslred or varied in construction to suit its application to different types'of engines or to a car of a train, as may be desired,

In order that the switch rel-easing bar 12 enable the control mechanism of the engine or car to strike and shift the same before passing over the switch points. The lever 37 has communication through a rod 33, lever 39 carried by a bracket 10, and a rod ll to a crank-arm 42 on a shaft 43, which extends under the track and carries at its opposite end the lever 22. It is thus apparent that a shifting of the lever 37 in'one direc tion will impart a reverse shiftin g movement to the lever 22 and a consequent movement of the bar 12 to effect a disengagement of the link 10 and switch-arm 9, should the switch points be in open position relative to the straightway track.

The operation of my improved safetymechanism is as follows: When the switch parts are connected and the switch-points are in their normal position, which normal position, in the present instance, is the straightway track position in Fig. 1, the enlarged portion 18 of the link 10 stands witha lever 37,

jectcd therefrom, would pass over the tops of said levers. Upon a shifting of the switch arms 8, 9 to throw the switch points 3, 3 from normal position, the link 10, in addition to having a longitudinal movement, will swing with the lever-arm 9 and communicate a shifting movement to the bar 12, due to the coaction of the enlargement 18 of said link with the bar shoulder 17. Such shifting of the bar 12 moves the levers 22 and 37 to their upright or operative positio-ns through the connecting mechanism as is apparent. When the switch has been ontirely thrown the link 10 will have moved longitudinally a sufficient distzince relative to the bar 12 for the enlargement 18 to move out of register with the shoulder 17 of the bar and for the reduced or rounded portion 20 on the link to move into register therewith. Upon a movement from operative to inoperative position. of either of the lovers 22 or 37 by the coaction therewith oi. a striker part on an engine or car, or by any other means, the bar 12 will be shifted in a direction to force its inclined surface 15 under the surface 20 of the link 10 to raise such link from engagement with the stud 11 of the switch arm 9, the finger 19 of the bar 12 at the same time moving from over the link to permit a raising thereof. Upon a disengagement of the link 10 and switch arm 9 the spring 6 and bolt 5 act to throw the switch points to normal position to permit the train to continue on the straight track.

It is apparent that I have provided a simple and eflicient mechanism that is capable of being operated from an engine or car of a train moving in either direction to operate a switch to open a straightway track should the same be closed, thus enabling the train to continue on the straightway track instead of passing onto a switch or siding, as would otherwise be the case. With this mechanism the engineer of a train approaching a switch can :feel safe in passing over a switch, as he will know that if such switch is open a closing of the same will be effected by a coaction of the engine switch operating mechanism with the switch control parts. i

I wish it understood that my invention is not limited to any specific construction or arrangement of the parts except in so far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,

1. The combination with the switchpoints of a track and the control mcchanism therefor having separable pivotally connected parts, of means influencing a movement of the switch-points in one di rection, and mechanism having a member in coaction with one of the separable parts of the switch mechanism and movable to effect a separation of such parts when the switch points are shifted from normal posi tion.

2. The combination with the switch points of a track, of means normally influencing a movement of said points in one direction, means operable to shift said points from normal position and having parts which are separable to permit a return of the points to normal position, and mechanism operable at a distance from said point shifting means and having a wedge part which is shiftablc to effect a separation of the said separable parts of said point shifting means when the switch points are shifted from normal position.

3. The combination with the switch points of a track. of means normally maintaining the switch points in one position of their movements, means ope able to shift said points against the influence of said first means and having parts which are separable when the points are shifted from normal position to permit a return of said points to normal position, and a member in coaction with one of said separable parts for preventing a separation of the parts when the switch points are in normal position and movable transversely thereof to effect a separation of such parts when the switch points are shifted from normal position.

41. The combination with the switch points of a track and the control means therefor, said means having two pivotally connected parts which are separable to permit a movement of the switch points relative to one of said parts, of means yieldingly acting on said points to influence a movement of the same in one direction, a slide member coacting with one of said separable parts and operable to effect a separation of such parts when the switch points are shifted from normal position to permit. a return of such points to normal position, and means located at a distance from and operable to move said member.

5. In combination, the switch points of a track, means normally influencing a movement of said points in one direction, a rotatable control part for said points, means connecting said control part and points and having a link in separable connection with said part, a slide-bar coacting with said link and locked against movement relative to the link when the switch points are in normal position and movable in. coaction with said link to effect a separation of the link and control parts when the switch points are moved from normal position, means located at a distance from and connected to said slide-bar and operable to shift said bar, and means movable over the track and operable to engage and move said bar connecting means when the switch points are l shifted from normal position.

6. The combination with the switch points of a track, of means normally main, taining said points in one position of their movement, a bar connecting said points, a hand controlled part, a link separably connecting said part and bar, and a member slidable transversely of said link in engage ment therewith and. having an inclined surface and a part overhanging the link, the inclined surface of said member being adapted to enact with the link to release it from said part when the member is moved in one direction and when said part and link are shifted to move the switch points from normal position.

7. The combination with the switch points of a track, of switch means, connection between said means and points having parts in separable pin-and-socket connection yielding means normally maintaining the points Copies of this patent may be obtained for nism operable to prevent a. separation of said parts when the switch points are in normal posit-ion and operable when the points are shifted from normal position to disengage said parts to prevent the return of the switch points to normal position under the influence of said yielding means, a member movable over the track, and means carried by said member and operable to five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

, Washington, I). C.

in one position of their movement, mecha- 

